Sounds logical. Also, it may have been another of FFC's filmic devices to prepare us for the Pope's poisoning by planting a visual clue.
You are correct Turnbull, it was also a filmic device because in the scene where the pope gets his tea, the camera first focuses on the steam rising from it.
"Io sono stanco, sono imbigliato, and I wan't everyone here to know, there ain't gonna be no trouble from me..Don Corleone..Cicc' a port!"
